Nearly Perfect Star seems like a fine choice for my review of the latest Star Trek movie. The title of this post alone should make it pretty obvious why I chose it as today's image. So--on with the review!-
I rarely start a review like this but an exceptional movie demands an exceptional opening. So--here goes... Dudes--and by extension Dudesses and Dudettes--this movie is freakin' AWESOME! Stop what you're doing and go see it! NOW!!!
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You're still here? Didn't I just tell you to stop what you're doing and go see this movie? Why are you still reading? Ah well--may as well get on with the review since you chose to ignore my advice...
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Lost creator J.J. Abrams has created another monster hit with his reboot of the moribund Star Trek franchise. He could have simply chosen to re-create the series but instead, in true Star Trek fashion, he came up with a viable reason for taking the series in a new direction--recreating not only the world but the characters--that is sure to please everyone but the most die-hard traditionalist fans of the old series. I won't tip you to the plot of you haven't seen the movie but you can probably guess it involves creating an alternate time line.
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Chris Pine, son of Actor Robert Pine (Sgt. Getrere on C.Hi.P.s) plays James T. Kirk as a brash young man not living up to his potentia until he is found by Captain Christopher Pike (Bruce Greenwood) who encourages Kirk to sign up for Star Fleet Academy and actually DO something with his potential. In one of those "only in the movies" situation Jim Kirk rises to the challenge and surpasses Pike's expectations. Pine looks a bit like William Shatner and has an easy job playing his role but he makes the part believable.
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So to does Zachary Quinto (Gabrial Syler on Heroes) as Spock. He has the right look and manages to be convincing in the few scenes where he's allowed to cut loose. Karl Urban as Dr. Leonard McCoy tends to be stuck playing comic relief but his Southern accent is dead on Zoe Saldana is stunning and embodies Communications Officer Uhura with some depth never allowed Nichelle Nicholes in the original series. (I found her relationship with Spock a bit off-putting but maybe they'll explore and explain that in future sequels.) British Comedian Simon Pegg gets the role of Engineer Montgomery Scott: he gets saddled with a comedic and somewhat manic role but I enjoyed his performance. John Cho has one good scene as Hikaru Sulu. Anton Yelchin (a real Russian) has chosen to copy the cartoonish accent used by Walter Koenig when he played Pavel Checkov. I am pleased to say that all the secondary characters get more development than they did in the entire run of the original series. Leonard Nimoy pops up in the movie (as an older Spock) to provide a link between the original series and this new incarnation. Eric Bana is Nero,a cardboard Romulan villain that isn't given a lot to work with. Neither are Ben Cross and Winona Ryder as Spock's parent's Sarek and Amanda Grayson.
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The sets and costumes of this new incarnation of Star Trek has a look that is nothing short of spectacular. The battle scenes and planet-scapes are beautiful and the whole movie really should be seen on the big screen (the bigger the better in fact!) The designers went back to the original look for the Enterprise and the crew but they updated everything in a way that works well and honors the source material without looking dated. I found the movie a bit "loud" in places but that's what the young kids expect these days so I dealt with it. Yes, there are a few plot holes big enough to drive a starship through (but it wouldn't be Star Trek without those--would it?) There are also a couple of "boo-boos" that change continuity from the original but I'm willing to forgive that. (All but the most hidebound traditionalists will forgive the changes--there's an awful lot of continuity!)
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Star Trek may be this year's "perfect" Summer movie (surprising since it's so early in the season). Most long-time fans will enjoy the update and be glad to see an old favorite back up on the screen looking so shiny and new. Those who aren't familiar with the series won't be burdened with a lot of continuity and will get all they need to enjoy the movie. There's plenty of action with a dash of humor and even romance that makes the movie fly by. All in all this is a worthy effort that is sure to keep the theaters full for a good long time.
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FINAL GRADE: A+
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